DALLAS (AP) — Dallas Stars unveil statue of Hockey Hall of Famer mike modano During Saturday night's home game against the Los Angeles Kings.
Modano is the franchise leader in goals, assists and games played.
“It's hard to explain in words what this means,” Modano said after a minute-long standing ovation, wiping away tears. “Thirty years ago, in 1993, we got on a plane to come here (when the Minnesota North Stars moved to Dallas) and we didn't know what was going to happen. Five years later, In 1999, we gave you the Stanley Cup. … I feel like we turned Dallas into a hockey town.”
Modano, 53, joined former Dallas Mavericks star Dirk Nowitzki among the players who placed the statue in the plaza at American Airlines Center. Nowitzki led the Mavs to their only NBA title.
“Thank you Dirk for securing the spot,” Modano said.
The ceremony was originally scheduled for Saturday afternoon, but was postponed due to continued rain in the afternoon and was held indoors.
Modano played 20 of his 21 NHL seasons with the Stars franchise, starting with the North Stars. He was his NHL's first overall draft pick in 1988. The Hockey Hall of Famer also had his No. 9 jersey retired by the team in 2014.
Modano scored a team-high 50 goals in the 1993-94 season, his first year with Dallas. He played in 1,459 games and led the franchise with 557 goals, 802 assists, and 1,359 points. The Michigan native finished his career after one season in Detroit.
From 1998 to 1999, he led Dallas with 34 goals and 81 points as the Stars defeated Buffalo in six games to win the Stanley Cup.
Modano is a hockey operations advisor for the Minnesota Wild.
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